Amniotomy glove

ABSTRACT

An amniotomy glove and method of performing an amniotomy, the glove used to rupture the amniotic membranes or the like wherein the glove is a regular examining glove having an abrasive member secured to or integral with a tip of the finger thereof.

United States Patent mi 3,867,947

Schack Feb. 25, 1975 [54] AMNIOTOMY GLOVE 2,847,012 8/1958 Eastman128/361 X 1 Inventor Colin sci-wk, 201 94th 3:59:23? 2113??E512fi6f2'.33.... 1111111111: #53132 i Omaha, Nebr- 68114 3,643,3862/1972 Grzyll 2/161 R x [22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1973 Primary Examiner-LucieH. Laudenslager PP Noi 327,616 Attorney, Agent, or Firm Hende:rson &Strom 52 US. Cl. 128/361 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl .1 A61b 17/42 Anamniotomy glove and method of performing an [58] Field of Search128/361; 2/159, 160, 161 R amniotomy, the glove used to rupture theamniotic membranes or the like wherein the glove is a regular [56]References Cited examining glove having an abrasive member secured to orintegral with a tip of the finger thereof.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures AMNIOTOMY GLOVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONtain way to induce labor is the rupture of the amniotic I membranes. Toaccomplish the rupture of these membranes, one or two fingers areinserted into the cervix via the vagina. The head of the baby isdisplaced slightly and a long clamp dressing forceps or a along pair ofscissors is directed by the other hand along the fingers in the vaginauntil the cervix is reached, the end of the instrument is then guidedthrough the cervix until the membranes and the baby's head are reached,and then end of the instrument is either forced against the membranes orpressed up and down against the membranes to cause rupture. Themembranes can also be grasped between the end of the forceps and pulledgently, thus causing them to rupture.

Another method is to first strip the membranes from their uterineattachment for a distance of about two inches and then puncturing themwith a sharp hook. Recently, a new device has been developed which isbasically a ring having a hook formed from plastic projecting outwardlyof the ring, wherein the ring fits on the tip of a finger. Use of thisdevice permits the use of just one finger instead of two hands torupture the membranes.

The disadvantages of the above methods and instruments is thus obviousas the use of any instrument can damage the walls of the vagina, thewalls of the cervix, or the head of the baby. The utilization of thehook ring device provides no guidance of the hook by'the other hand andin addition the tactile sense in the examining finger is lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved deviceand method for artificially rupturing the amniotic membranes. The deviceis a regular examining glove having an abrasive member secured to orintegral with a tip of a finger thereof. In particular, the abrasivematerial is in the form of a piece of sandpaper or the like which issecured to the surface of either the index or middle finger of the gloveand extends from about the middle of the location of the fingernail overthe tip of the finger and then toward the palm for a distance equal toapproximately twice the length of the material on the fingernail side ofthe glove.

The method of use entails the sterilization of the am-' niotomy glove,the donning of the sterile glove, the insertion of the finger having theabrasive end into the vagina and through the cervix wherein the abrasiveend contacts the amniotic membranes, the abrasive end is then movedbackward and forward in a scratching motion against the membranes untilthe membranes rupture.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel amniotomyglove.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a medical glovehaving an abrasive member disposed on the distal end of one of thefingers, the glove being provided for the use ofa medical practitionerin performing medical or surgical procedure and in particular therupturing of membranes sac or the amniotic sac.

A further object of this invention is to provide an amniotomy glovewhich does not have a sharp or hard device connected therewith which cancause damage to the walls of the anatomical passages or to a fetuscontained in the amniotic sac.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of an amniotomyglove for artifically rupturing the amniotic membranes wherein no sharpor blunt instru ments are used and wherein only one hand of the medicalpractitioner is utilized in the'amniotomy.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an amniotomy glovewhich is extremely effective in use, simple in construction, andeconomical to manufacture.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a method toperform an amniotomy wherein no instruments are used and the procedurecan be accomplished with only one hand without damage to the walls ofthe vagina, the walls of the cervix or the fetus contained within theamniotic sac.

These objects and other features and advantages of this invention becomemore readily apparent upon reference to the following description whentaken in conjunction with the appended drawings.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a glove having anabrasive member secured to one of the fingers for performing anamniotomy wherein the tactile sense of the examining finger issubstantially retained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF'THE DRAWINGS In the drawings as herein described, apreferred embodiment of the invention is depicted, however variousmodifications and alternate constructions can be made thereto withoutdeparting from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined.hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the amniotomy glove of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partialrear plan view of one finger of the glove;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of said one finger; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 4 4 in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,the amniotomy glove of this invention is indicated generally at 10 inFIG. 1. The glove is a conventional surgical glove 11 having a palm 12,a back (not shown), a thumb 13 and four fingers l4 l7. Secured to theindex finger 14 by contact adhesive 18 or the like, or integral with theindex finger 14 is a strip of abrasive material 1.9, such as sandpaper.The abrasive material 19 (FIGS. 2 4) approximately one-fourth inch wideand three-fourths inch long, is dis posed over the end of the finger 14with approximately l/4 thereof disposed on the back of the finger andabout three-fourths thereof disposed over the top and on the front ofthe finger. Although the abrasive material is disposed on the indexfinger, it could be disposed on the middle finger, it is furtherimmaterial whether it is disposed on the right or left glove.

Although a strip of abrasive material 19 is depicted, it has been foundthat a small piece of material 19, secured to or integral with thedistal end of the finger of the glove 1], satisfactorily performs anamniotomy.

The procedure for performing the amniotomy with the amniotomy glove ofthis invention is as follows:

a. the glove having the abrasive tipped finger is sterilized and thendonned by the medical practitioner;

b. the abrasive tipped finger is inserted into the vagina, through thecervix and against the amniotic sac;

c. the amniotic sac is then scratched in a backward and forward manneruntil the sac ruptures.

This amniotomy glove, in addition to being adapted for use in performingan amniotomy can also be usea for rupturing other membranes and forperforming other surgical procedures.

I claim:

1. An amniotomy glove for use in rupturing the amniotic membranescomprising:

a sterilizable surgical glove having a palm, a back, a

thumb and four fingers; and

an abrasive strip secured over a portion of the end of one of saidfingers with a first portion of said strip secured to the back of saidone finger, a second portion of said strip secured to the tip of saidone finger and a third portion of said strip secured to the front ofsaid one finger, thus having a portion of said one finger front and tipon both sides of said strip free for permitting tactile sense to thefinger of the wearer of said glove.

2. An amniotomy glove as defined in claim 1 wherein said abrasivematerial is sandpaper.

3. An amniotomy glove as defined in claim 1 wherein said abrasivematerial is secured by an adhesive to said finger.

4. An amniotomy glove as defined in claim 3 wherein said abrasivematerial is sandpaper.

5..An amniotomy glove as defined in claim 2 wherein approximatelyone-fourth of said abrasive material is disposed on the back of saidfinger and the remaining portion of said abrasive material is disposedover the tip and on the front of said finger.

6. An amniotomy-glove as defined in claim 4 wherein approximatelyone-fourth of said abrasive material is disposed on the back of saidfinger and the remaining portion of said abrasive material is disposedover the tip and on the front of said finger.

7. A method of performing an amniotomy comprising the step of scratchingthe amniotic membranes with an abrasive material until the membranesrupture.

1. An amniotomy glove for use in rupturing the amniotic membranescomprisiNg: a sterilizable surgical glove having a palm, a back, a thumband four fingers; and an abrasive strip secured over a portion of theend of one of said fingers with a first portion of said strip secured tothe back of said one finger, a second portion of said strip secured tothe tip of said one finger and a third portion of said strip secured tothe front of said one finger, thus having a portion of said one fingerfront and tip on both sides of said strip free for permitting tactilesense to the finger of the wearer of said glove.
 2. An amniotomy gloveas defined in claim 1 wherein said abrasive material is sandpaper.
 3. Anamniotomy glove as defined in claim 1 wherein said abrasive material issecured by an adhesive to said finger.
 4. An amniotomy glove as definedin claim 3 wherein said abrasive material is sandpaper.
 5. An amniotomyglove as defined in claim 2 wherein approximately one-fourth of saidabrasive material is disposed on the back of said finger and theremaining portion of said abrasive material is disposed over the tip andon the front of said finger.
 6. An amniotomy glove as defined in claim 4wherein approximately one-fourth of said abrasive material is disposedon the back of said finger and the remaining portion of said abrasivematerial is disposed over the tip and on the front of said finger.
 7. Amethod of performing an amniotomy comprising the step of scratching theamniotic membranes with an abrasive material until the membranesrupture.